The E46 325ti Appreciation Thread

[Zener]

Peter Empson said:

Thanks, that's a great help, I'll hunt down some Sachs ones.

I've had a look on ECP and they list three Sachs rear springs options but apart from different prices there's no notes as to how they differ - no external part numbers, no length (their website is useless, same on car parts4less of course other than the price). GSF don't seem to list them that I can see, but there is one listing on Autodoc. I'll do some more digging tomorrow.

Ring em they can cross ref from BMW dealer parts info

[s m]

Peter Empson said:

Can anyone suggest which rear springs I would need for my 2002 325ti Sport, I think I've got a broken coil and want to stay at the standard ride height. Real OEM seems to suggest genuine ones are no longer available (if I'm reading it right) and I'm confused by the numerous after market options on places like Autodoc (I'm trying to work on a fairly tight budget). Are there any brands I should avoid?

BMW part num is 33 53 6 756 982

[josh-cg608]

Heres mine, albeit a 330ti. This thread inspired the purchase. Love the thing. Slowly going to refreshing suspension, brakes and steering and upgrading where i can.

Have fitted standard sachs msport shocks but now kinda wishing i went with the b12 kit, i have the springs. If anyone sells a lightly used set of shocks or a complete set i may be interested.

Edited by josh-cg608 on Wednesday 17th February 08:57

Edited by josh-cg608 on Wednesday 17th February 08:59

[s m]

josh-cg608 said:

Heres mine, albeit a 330ti. This thread inspired the purchase. Love the thing. Slowly going to refreshing suspension, brakes and steering and upgrading where i can.

Have fitted standard sachs msport shocks but now kinda wishing i went with the b12 kit, i have the springs. If anyone sells a lightly used set of shocks or a complete set i may be interested.

Edited by josh-cg608 on Wednesday 17th February 08:57

Edited by josh-cg608 on Wednesday 17th February 08:59

Very nice Josh

They go well with the extra poke

I was looking at the 1-series coops but I’d have to have a suped 125i or 135i to be happy with the extra cost to change. Plus the hatch on the ti is so handy on occasion for moving stuff

[josh-cg608]

s m said:

josh-cg608 said:

Heres mine, albeit a 330ti. This thread inspired the purchase. Love the thing. Slowly going to refreshing suspension, brakes and steering and upgrading where i can.

Have fitted standard sachs msport shocks but now kinda wishing i went with the b12 kit, i have the springs. If anyone sells a lightly used set of shocks or a complete set i may be interested.

Edited by josh-cg608 on Wednesday 17th February 08:57

Edited by josh-cg608 on Wednesday 17th February 08:59

Very nice Josh

They go well with the extra poke

I was looking at the 1-series coops but I’d have to have a suped 125i or 135i to be happy with the extra cost to change. Plus the hatch on the ti is so handy on occasion for moving stuff

Thanks mate, yeah ive brought it as a stop gap originally as im purchasing my first house but ive really gelled with it love how it drives so going to slowly keep doing bits to it, everything else id want would cost a fair bit more so for 2/3 years at least i think ill keep it then see how i get on

[s m]

josh-cg608 said:

Thanks mate, yeah ive brought it as a stop gap originally as im purchasing my first house but ive really gelled with it love how it drives so going to slowly keep doing bits to it, everything else id want would cost a fair bit more so for 2/3 years at least i think ill keep it then see how i get on

Yes, shame BMW never put their 330ti into production. Wouldn’t do to have their entry bodyshape faster than the range topper 330 coupe ( M models excluded obviously )

[Peter Empson]

s m said:

BMW part num is 33 53 6 756 982

Brilliant, thanks!

[MrC986]

OP, I’ve taken the original suspension off my 325ti & replaced it with coil-overs....if you want the rear springs, or the complete springs/shocks etc,, I think I’ve got them in storage (you’d just need to pay the postage cost).

[Peter Empson]

That's very generous, thank you! I'll send you a PM now.

[rezaq]

Max M4X WW said:

Quite a lot of paintwork needed too due to lacquer peel as I had asked for some more photos and attempted to view last week but didn't quite make it over. Was planning to offer £3k when it was at £1950ish!

Assuming he will get beat down a bit or wouldn't be surprised if it was re-listed, however, I suspect he wasn't expecting as much either and would possibly take a bit of bartering.

This was my friends car, piss poor advert. BUT, the sale went through and it was paid for immediately.

I have exactly the same car, albeit with a significantly higher spec and an auto box.

I'd sell it for £3500 if anyone wanted a really, really nice Ti.

[jonindorset]

I’ve just acquired another of the eBay 325ti’s (It was a very local car to me so I was able to view before bidding). I am planning to switch back to the original 16” wheels (Style 42 lattice wheels) that came with it (from what I believe are actually E53 X5 17” wheels). It needs at least one pair of tyres really as two have proper ditchfinders on there at present.

What tyres do people rate on these in 205/50/16 size please?

[s m]

jonindorset said:

I’ve just acquired another of the eBay 325ti’s (It was a very local car to me so I was able to view before bidding). I am planning to switch back to the original 16” wheels (Style 42 lattice wheels) that came with it (from what I believe are actually E53 X5 17” wheels). It needs at least one pair of tyres really as two have proper ditchfinders on there at present.

What tyres do people rate on these in 205/50/16 size please?

Do you mean 205/55 x 16?

[jonindorset]

The wheels were an option (I have the original invoice) and have been fitted with 205/50/16 tyres for as long as I can see back in the history. I do see references to 55 profile elsewhere online but these are definitely on 50 profile tyres. One pair already have some Bridgestones with some life left in them, hence reluctance to replace all 4.

[jonindorset]

Is the consensus to whip off the 50 profile tyres, bite the bullet and fit Michelin Pilot Sport 4 all round in 205/55/16 ?
I'm thinking this will give the most entertaining but reasonably safe and progressive handling? I'm looking for feel and feedback above track performance (strictly a road car) or bling.

[helix402]

jonindorset said:

Is the consensus to whip off the 50 profile tyres, bite the bullet and fit Michelin Pilot Sport 4 all round in 205/55/16 ?
I'm thinking this will give the most entertaining but reasonably safe and progressive handling? I'm looking for feel and feedback above track performance (strictly a road car) or bling.

Sounds like a good move.

[s m]

jonindorset said:

Is the consensus to whip off the 50 profile tyres, bite the bullet and fit Michelin Pilot Sport 4 all round in 205/55/16 ?
I'm thinking this will give the most entertaining but reasonably safe and progressive handling? I'm looking for feel and feedback above track performance (strictly a road car) or bling.

I’ve only ever had 205/55 s on mine but you certainly won’t go far wrong with those Michelins

[Krikkit]

Yep MPS4 will be a nice fit, although not much wiggle from the rear.

[jonindorset]

With all the current discounts at Protyre, they work out at just £63.84 each (Quidco cashback, quidco voucher code and Michelin cashback).

[Krikkit]

jonindorset said:

With all the current discounts at Protyre, they work out at just £63.84 each (Quidco cashback, quidco voucher code and Michelin cashback).

Absolute bargain then! Get on it.

[jonindorset]

I refitted the style 42 16" wheels in preparation for having the tyres fitted tomorrow - amazed how much lighter the were - so light! Still got to drive on them but I'm expecting a big difference.

On another note, has anyone fitted one of these console roller cover kits? Are they the same for all E46 ?